~~ When an acquaintance asks you to do something that should really only be requested by a close friend or relative, what do you do?

~~ This tweet hysterically summarizes the stupidity of the baseball Hall of Fame voting:

~~ Scene from an Italian restaurant: I told the waiter that I was a vegan, so may I please have a pasta dish that was just vegetables, garlic, oil, and pasta? “Sure,” he said. “You want chicken or shrimp on that?” “No,” I replied. “Just vegetables, garlic, oil, pasta. No butter, no cheese, no stock, no meat.” “OK. How about some pancetta?” “No!” I said a bit louder. “Shall I explain what a vegan is?” “No, I know,” he claimed. “What kind of pasta?” “Do you have whole wheat ziti?”“You know, that has gluten in it,” he said patronizingly.I said, not so patiently, “I don’t eat animals or animal products, but since wheat doesn’t have a mother and I’m not allergic, I eat pasta.”“Oh, OK,” he says. “I’ll check with the kitchen and ask if they can make your special order.”

~~ I have to run along now. I’m going to hire some aides just so I can blame everything on them. Thanks for the management tip, Governor Christie!